Splicing tool



' Jan. 6, 1942. D, Q HUB'BARD 2,268,659

` SPLIGING TooL Fued July 1, 1940 :s sheets-sheet 1 Jan 6, 1942'y D. c. HUBBARD 2,268,659

SPLICING TOOL Filed July l. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 6, 1942 SPLICING TOOL David C. Hubbard, Centralia,"Mo.,- assigner to A. B. Chance-Company, Centralia, Mo.,v a ccr.

poration of Missouri Application July 1, 1940, Serial N0. 343,459

8"Ciaims. (Cl. lfm-113) The present invention relates vto ysplicing-tools and is particularly concerned with splicing tools of the type adapted tobe used in splicing live electric lines.

One ofthe objects ofthe invention is the prowires.

Another object of -the invention is their provision of an improved .tool ofthe class .described which is adjustable to allow for the varioussizes oi automatic splices and which permitsthe setting-,of the toolat ananglelto the insulating pole with which Y it is handled.

Another object -of .the invention is theprovision o1` an improved splicing tool of they class described which is provided withA separate ,gripping means fcrpositively preventing Athe automatic splicemember from sliding endwise out of the tool and with self-aligning jaws topermit the jaws to. alignthemselves tothe shape of `the automatic sleeve splice.

Another Vobject of the invention is the provision of anrimproved splicing tool by means lof which energized .electric .wires maybe handled and spliced .while the tool' and wires are Ahandled 4by means of elongated ,insulatingpoles j Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved splicing tool of the class described lwhich is simple, sturdy, capable of economical manufacture and adapted to perform its functions for a long period of time without necessity for repair or replacement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will Ybe apparent `from the following description and the accompanying drawings,`in'which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views. v

Referring to the three sheets of drawings acccmpanying this specication,

Figure l is a view in perspective of an energized high tension electric conductor which is believed spliced by means of a tool embodying vthe invention;

Figure 2 'is a top plan View of the'splicing tool constructed according to the invention;

Figure-3 is a side elevational View of a splicing tool;

wFigure 4 is a rear elevational view of the splicing tool; v

Figure 5 ris a vertical sectional View taken on the plane ci the line 5 5 of Figure 4 lookingin the direction ofthe arrows;

Figure 6 Vis a vertical sectional view taken 0n the plane of the line Ii-ll of FigureJS" looking in the direction of the arrows;

lFigure 7 is a verticalsectional View taken-on the plane of the line 'I-'I of Figure looking in the direction of the arrows; and` Y Figure 8 is a fragmentary end View ofthe tool showing the .bell-mouthed-openng at the 'right in Figure `3.

Referring to Fig. `l, I0 indicates in its entirety the improved splicing tool constructed according to-the invention which is shown' in connection with an automatic splice II and the two ends I2 and I3 of .an energizedhigh tension electric conductor. I 4 indicates 'a clamp stick of the type havingan elongatedvinsulating woodenpole. I5 provided with an insulatingsleeve I6. at the top Aand with a clamping head. II which may have a 'hook ora pair of jaws adapted to clamp the electric conductor I3 so that it maybe handled although located at a distance from the lineman.

The automatic splice II isof the-type which is adapted `to eiect a tight electrical and mechanical connection between the conductors I2 and I3 when they have been pushed into the apertures in the opposite ends of the automatic splice II. It should be understood-that both the clamp stick Ill and the splicing tool Ii) may be mounted on elongated wooden insulating poles, such as, for exampleyfrom `6 to 16 feet in length. Part of this length is rendered necessary by the high tension electricity with which conductors "I2 and I3 may be energized, while additional lengthl'of the poles may be necessary for reaching the point of the vsplice from the position of the lineman on a transmission line pole. j

The tool I' is preferably mounted on'a wooden pole `rI8 provided with a cap 'i9 having a supporting ange 2l) that is provided with a plurality of grooves 2l and "teeth 22ffor engagement with complementary grooves and teeth on'the supporting vflange 23, which is-carried by the tool.

A thumb screw VV25, 'provided with a shank v2.4, passes ythrough the slot 35 in the viiange 23, and is threaded into an laperture in the flange 2Ilto secure the tool 'to thesupporting pole I8 iniany 'ci a multiplicity of angular positions. This enables the operatorV to Vreach a `splicing, position and to control the tool although the operator may be located in any of a multiplicity of different positions with respect to the splice.

The splicing tool I0 preferably includes a'supporting body 30 which is provided With a vertically vextending flange l3I and a substantially cylindrical body portion-32 which is provided with an axially extending threaded aperture 33. This aperture 33 is adapted to receive the threaded shank 34 which is carried by the toothed flange 23 previously mentioned. The toothed flange 23 is preferably provided with a slot 35 which extends axially of the threaded shank 34,

Vertically extending iiange 3| may be provided with a flat guide surface 35 on its inner side for engaging complementary guide surfaces 36 on the sliding cam 31. The cam 31 comprises a metal body which may be provided with a lower flat surface 38 and with an axially extending cylindrical guide member 39.

The cylindrical guide member 39 is slidably engaged in a cylindrical bore 40 in the threaded shank 34, which bore is of greater length than the guide member 39. A metal washer 4| may be mounted on the guide member 39 and interposed between the surface 38 and theend 42 of the screw bolt 34.

In order to secure a minimum of friction between the sliding surfaces 36 and 35, the cam member 31 may be provided with a plurality of guide ribs 43 on its right side` (Fig. 6) which ribs carry the surfaces 36.

The cam member 31 is substantially triangular when viewed in elevation from the side of the cam, as shown in Figure 4, and it is provided with the inclined camming surface 44 at its upper end. This camming surface is adapted to engage the curved or ball-shaped surface 45 on the lower end of one of the clamping levers 46, the other lever being indicated at 41.

The two clamping levers 46 and 41 may be identical in structure at their upper ends, but different in structure at their lower ends. For example, the clamping lever -41 is provided with a pair of laterally projecting pivot ears, or flanges, 48 at its lower end between` which the curved body portion 49 of the other clamping lever 46 is received.

A metal pintle passes through registering apertures 5| in the flanges 48, 48 and body 49 and is riveted over at each end in such manner as to support the clamping lever 46 pivotally on the clamping lever 41.

The partially spherical surface 45 on thelower end of clamping lever 46 has already been described. It is located below the pintle 50 in such manner that outward pressure on this partially spherical surface 45 causes the levers to pivot toward each other.

The clamping lever 41 differs from lever 46 also, in that at its lower end, clamping lever 41 is provided with a vertically extending iiange 52 which may have a circular outer boundary and which is provided with a centrally located aperture 53.

This aperture is adapted to receive an integral threaded stud 54 which is carried by the vertical flange 3| of the supporting body 36. Supporting body 30 may have a flat surface 55 surrounding the threaded stud 54 except for the formation of one radially extending rib 56.

Depending iiange 52 has its inner face 51 formed with a plurality of teeth 58 'separated by the'grooves 59 which are complementary to the shape of the rib 56. A wing nut 60 threaded on'the stud 54 is adapted to clamp the flange 52 against the fiat surface 55 withrib 56 in one of the grooves 59.

A plurality of the grooves 59 being provided, the clamping jaws 46, 41 may be supported at any of a multiplicity of predetermined angles on the body 30. Each of the clamping levers 46 and 41 is preferably provided with an upwardly extending elongated arm 6| which extends diagonally outward from the pintle 50 in such manner that a pair of clamping members 62, 63 (Fig. 2) may be supported at the top of these levers. That is, the two levers 46 and 41 have a spread at the top.

Closely above the pintle 50, each lever is provided with cylindrical sockets 64, 65, these two sockets receiving the ends of a helical coil spring 66 which is under a predetermined compression and adapted to spread the levers 46 and 41 apart. Spring 66 also keeps the partially spherical surface 45 in engagement with the cam surface 44 as the c am resists the spreading of the levers.

At the upper end of each of the levers 46 and 41, each lever is provided with an enlarged aperture 61 and 68 and the apertures 61 and 68 are in substantial alignment with each other when the parts are in the position of Figure 6. 'I'he upper end of each llever may be provided with a flat surface 69, 16, except that one corner is preferably cut away and formed with a lower fiat surface 1| and an inclined surface 12.

These two surfaces 1|, 12 form stop surfaces for engaging a laterally projecting lug 13 (Fig. 3) carried by each of the clamping members 62, 63. The two clamping members 62, 63 are similar in construction but differently formed for the right and the left-hand side on account of the fact that the lugs 13 are both located at the top and they extend in opposite directions.

The clamping members 62, 63 are otherwise similar in construction so that only one of them need be described in detail. For example, clamping member 62 is provided with a main body 1-4 which is an elongated trough-shaped member when viewed from the inside. The body 14 has on its interior the tapered trough 15 which is complementary in shape to part of the outer surface of an automatic splice The trough 15 tapers like the end of the automatic splice Il but is large enough so that it may be used to engage splices of different size. At its right end (Fig. 5) the trough tapers to a relatively small groove 16. At its left-hand end (Fig. 5) the trough enlarges to a bell-shaped opening 11 which is slightly larger than any splice with which it will engage.

The main body 14 of each clamping member supports the half frusto-conical mouth member 18 which is integrally joined to the body 14 and communicates therewith through the groove 16. Each frusto-conical mouth member 18 is provided with a laterally extending lip 19 which overlaps the frusto-conical formation on the other clamping member in such manner that the clamping members may be separated but the conical formations will still be closed by means of these overlapping portions 19.

Referring to Fig. 8, the'upper lip 19 is curved onthe radius of the pivot 56, but the lower lip 19 extends tangentially. This permits close cooperation between the flanges 19 and the adjacent edges of the frusto-conical members 18 in any position of the parts.

The overlapping portions 19 extend from a shoulder and are located on the opposite edges of the two half frusto-conical members 18 so that there is an overlapping flange above, and an overlapping flange 19 below, as shown in Figure 1.

When the two clamping members 62 and 63 are arranged as shown in Figure 6, the grooves 16 form a ,through-,aperture indicated at 8l in Figure 6. Each .of thebodies 14 of the clamping'members 62 and 63 vis provided Vwith a threaded aperture 82 at the left end of the trough 15 `(Fig. Y5) which has in it a set screw 83 provided on its inner .end with a relatively `sharp circular rib 84. At its outer end each set screw has a kerf 85 (Fig. 3)

for receiving a screw driver or other tool.

The outer surface of each of the .bodies 14 is substantially at at 86 (Fig. 3) 'surrounding the set screw 83 and at an intermediatepoint the outer surface of each clamping member is angular, being formed by two diagonally extending surfaces 81, 88 intersecting to form aridge k83.

The upper end Aof each lever 46, 41 .is also formed with a complementary V-.shaped groove -90 for receiving these triangularridges 81-89 on the 4clamping members. The V-shaped .groove l90 traverses the inner surfaceof each of thev levers 46, 41 at the apertures 61.

Centrallylocated of the body 144 and centrally located between the ends'of thetriangular ribs 81-89, there is a laterally projecting integral threaded stud SI on each clamping member (i2 or 63. This stud 9| passes through ithe enlarged aperture 61 and carries the nut 92.

Interposed between the nut 92 and a at surface 93 on the outside of each lever 46 or 41 there is a relatively heavy spring washer 94. The nuts 92 are purposely left loose so that the spring washers 84 are only slightly compressed. Due to the enlarged apertures G1 surrounding the threaded studs 9i and due to the resilient clamping action of the nuts 92 and spring washers'94, each clamping member is permitted a limited degree of universal movement on its supporting lever. This movement is mainly about an axis which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the clamping members.

The lug 13 and stop surfaces 1I, 12 limit the pivotal movement of each clamping member on its lever and hold them in such position that the flanges 19 overlap portionsof the half frustoconical members.

Thus, when the device is assembled, as shown in Fig. l, it is formed with a means at the left end for clamping the automatic splice II and with a bell-shaped opening at the right end leading to an aperture 8| for receiving the wire I3, which is to be joined to the splice I I.

The method of operation and mode of use of my splicing tool is as follows: The wire I2 may rst be grasped by means of the clamp stick I4, and the automatic splice may be secured in the tool I by locating it between the clamping members B2, 63, which are brought into clamping engagement with the automatic splice by turning the threaded shank 34 bymeans of the pole I3. The turning of the pole I8 elevates the cam 31 and forces the partially spherical formation 45 outward to such a degree that the clamping members B2 and 83 come together and engage the automatic splice I I.

Spring washers 94 permit a limited universal movement between the clamping members and their supporting levers 46 and 41, and-permit a better t between the clamping members 62 and 63 and splices of various sizes.

The size range of the splices Vis considerable, and that of the tapered ends of the splice is in proportion to the variation in size. yRigidly vmounted clamping members cannot be depended upon to seat properly on all Asizes of splice, but the limited universal movement of the clamping members on the levers provides'for a proper seating or t vbetween the tool and the splice.

The larger the splice, the farther apart the edges 36,- 91 are from the offset. The iianges Y19 then serve as guides, supplementing the frusto- :the screw 34. This binding action is reduced by means of the washer 41, and the gripping action .of the Yclamping members is supplemented by meansofthe set screws 83.

These set screws preferably do not 4engage ,the

vsplice until it is gripped snugly, but not toolfirm- .;ly, by the clamping vmembers 62, 63. Yset Vscrews may be turned to Aengagepthe splice Then :the

with sufficient Vfirmness to bite into Ythe splice slightly.

' The annular ridge at vthe end of the screws per- Vmits the-rotation of the screws, and causes them to bite into the splice and gri-p it more firmly vwith less pressure on'the cam 31, and the thrust washer 4I, so that the tool may easily be removed.

This'procedure is not necessary in every embodiment of the tool; but, if followed, it makes the Vtool operate more easily. When the auto- `matic splice has been secured to the wire I2, then the tool may be removed from the left end of the splice II and placed on the right end of the splice II, as shown in Fig. l, to be used for the attachment of the wire I3 for the splice I I.

The grip ofthe set screws, which are again applied after the clamping members are brought into clamping engagement, provide a purchase o-n the splice, which is rm enough to prevent the splice from sliding endwise out of the tool when the Aconductor is forcedrinto the splice. A reverse torque on the pole I8 is, of course, applied to withdraw the screw t34 and remove the clamping members from the splice, and this would have to be resisted by the rigidity of the conductors, to which the clamping members are applied.

`There is very little rigidity Ito such conductors, particularly when only one, such as the conductor I2, is attached to the tool by means of the splice II. Therefore, it is highly desirable that the friction involved in the release of the tool be as little as possible.

After the tool has'been secured to the splice I I,

fas shown in Fig. 1, and the set screws 33 have been tightened to give it a better grip, the wire I3 is forced into the automatic splice I I; and thereafter the tool is removed by rotating the pole I8 counterclockvvise, and the clamp stick I4 may also be removed. The clamping members of the splicing tool are-self-opening, due to the action of the spring F555, and the rotation of the threaded member134permits the cam to move downward so that 'the levers are forced apart by the spring 66.

At this time'the relation of the automatic'splice I I and tool Iil with respect to the wire i2 may be Ithe sameas itis illustrated in Fig. 1 with respect tool I may be turned around and secured to the other end of the splice Il, as shown in Fig. 1..

When the cam 31 is driven upward by screw 34, it causes the lever 46 to pivot clockwise with respect to lever 41, which may be considered xed. The partially universal mounting of the clamping members 62 and 13 on these levers permits the clamping members to align themselves with the splice l l It does not matter which end of the clamping members comes together first, because in either event the set screws 83 must be so adjusted that they will engage and clamp the splice when the edges 96, 91 of the conical formations engage the oisets 80 -of these conical members. At that time the overlapping portions 19 are overlapped outside the adjacent conical formations.

Prior to the invention of the present tool, the connecting of such an automatic splice to the loose wire or wires was extremely difficult, being similar to the threading of a needle at arms length.

The present splicing tool greatlysimplies the making of hot line splices, and the wire is easily guided into the bell-mounted opening of the tool by means of a clamp stick while the conductors to be spliced are pulled tight with rope blocks, which are themselves insulated, with link sticks. One or both ends of the conductor may be attached to the automatic splice in this manner, thus making it possible to do a complete splicing job without interrupting the service in any v way.

It should be noted that the cam surface 44 tapers toward the top and that as the supporting flange 52 is rotated on stud 54 the cam 31 is still in position to force the two levers together. The cam 31 operates on the levers irrespective of the angular position of the levers 46, 41 with respect to the body 30 or the pole which carries the complete assembly.

The adjustable jaws or set screws 83 positively prevent the automatic splice from sliding end- Wise out of the tool when the tool is fully closed. The tool is adjustable for various sizes of splices, and it has a second adjustable feature which permits the splice head to be set at an angle to the tightening or operating screw 34. The clamping members of the tool are self-aligning, due to the spring action between the clamping members and their supporting levers.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved splicing tool, by means of which much of the time lost according to the methods of the prior art is eliminated and much labor saved. Costly service interruptions may be wholly eliminated when the present splicing tool is used, and the vtransmission lines may be repaired with the highest degree of eiliciency,

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope ofthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a splicing tool, the combination of a supporting body provided with a pair of levers movably mounted with respect to each other, actuating means carried by said bodies for selectively moving said levers in either direction toward or from each other, clamping means carried by said CII levers lfor clamping a splicing member between said levers, and a bell-shaped guiding member carried by said clamping means for guiding a conductor intov said splicing member.

2. In a splicing tool, the combination of a supporting body provided with a pair of levers movably mounted with respect to each other, actuating means carried by said bodies for selectively moving said levers in either direction toward or from each other, clamping means carried by said levers for clamping a splicing member between said levers, and a bell-shaped guiding member carried by said clamping means for guiding a conductor into said splicing member, said clamping members being mounted for limited universal movement on said levers.

3. In a splicing tool, the combination of a supporting body provided with a pair of levers movably mounted with respect to each other, actuating means carried by said bodies for selectively moving said levers in either direction toward or from each other, clamping means carried by said levers for clamping a splicing member between said levers, and a bell-shaped guiding member carried by said clamping means for guiding a conductor into said splicing member, said clamping means being mounted for limited universal movement on said levers, said clamping members being provided with adjustable threaded jaws whereby the clamping members may be brought into tight engagement with splicing members of diierent size when the clamping members are closed against each other.

4. In a splicing tool, the combination of a pair of opposed metallic members, said metallic members being formed with opposing grooves of a size adapted to form an aperture for passing the conductor to be spliced, said grooves communicating on one side with a trough in each clamping member and communicating on the other side with a tapered trough-like formation in each clamping member adapted to form a funnel leading to said opening.

5. In a splicing tool, the combination of a pair of opposed metallic members, said metallic members being formed with opposing grooves of a size adapted to form an aperture for passing the conductor to be spliced, said grooves communicating on one side with a trough in each clamping member and communicating on the other side with a tapered trough-like formation in each clamping member adapted to form a funnel leading to said opening, said latter trough-like formations being substantially half-frusto-conical.

6. In a splicing tool, the combination of a pair of opposed metallic members, said metallic members being formed with opposing grooves of a size adapted to form an aperture for passing the conductor to be spliced, said grooves communicating on one side with a trough in each clamping member and communicating on the other side with a tapered trough-like formation in each clamping member adapted to form a funnel leading to said opening, said latter trough-like formations being substantially half-frusto-conical and being provided with overlapping anges extending from an offset portion whereby the funnel is maintained closed when the clamping members are spread apart to engage a larger splicing member.

'1. In a splicing tool, the combination of a pair of opposed metallic members, said metallic members being formed with opposing grooves of a size adapted to form an aperture for passing the conductor to be spliced, said grooves communicating on one side with a trough in each clamping member and communicating on the other side with a tapered trough-like formation in each clamping member adapted to form a funnel leading to said opening, said latter troughlike formations being substantially half-frustoconical and being provided with overlapping flanges extending from an offset portion whereby the funnel is maintained closed when the clamping members are spread apart to engage a larger splicing member, said rst-mentioned trough being provided with adjustable jaw members for engaging a splice.

8. In a splicing tool for high tension lines, the combination of an elongated insulating pole with a splicing tool carried by said pole, said splicing tool comprisinga pair oi movably mounted levers carried by said pole, a jaw mounted on each of said levers for limited universal movement, each of said jaws opposing each other, and each of said jaws being recessed to receive an automatic splice, resilient means for moving the jaws in one direction, and threaded means actuated by said pole for moving the jaws in the opposite direction, said jaws being formed with tapered guide members providing a taperedrecess in the open end of said jaws when a splice is gripped by said jaws for guidance of a conductorl into a splice held by said jaws.

DAVID C. HU'BBARD. 

